Beyond Facebook & TikTok: 5 Up-and-Coming Social Media Apps Nepali Youth Are Loving in 2025

Rakesh Rajbhat 25 May 2025

While Facebook and TikTok continue to hold significant sway over Nepal's digital landscape, the vibrant and ever-evolving world of social media is always presenting new avenues for connection, creativity, and community. For Nepali youth in 2025, the digital conversation is expanding beyond the familiar giants, with several up-and-coming platforms gaining traction for their unique features and fresh approaches.

If you're looking to diversify your digital experience, find niche communities, or simply explore what's new, here are 5 social media apps that are either rising in popularity or offering distinct experiences that Nepali youth are increasingly gravitating towards. Let's dive in!

1. Baakhapaa App: The Homegrown Hub for Rewards & Community

Let's start with a platform designed specifically for the Nepali context that's gaining significant buzz. The Baakhapaa App isn't just a social media platform in the traditional sense; it's an ecosystem built around engagement, rewards, and community.

• Why it's Popular: Baakhapaa stands out by integrating social interaction with tangible benefits. Nepali youth are loving its system where active participation, content creation, and engagement with local businesses or educational content can earn them points that translate into real-world rewards via the Baakhapaa Wallet. This blend of utility and social connection creates a uniquely engaging experience tailored for the local audience.
• Key Features: Reward-based engagement, localized content, community forums, and a direct link to a digital wallet.
• How to Use Safely & Creatively: Engage genuinely with content, participate in challenges, and use your earned points smartly. Be mindful of sharing personal information, just like on any other platform.

2. Threads by Meta: The Text-Based Conversation Revival

Launched as a direct competitor to X (formerly Twitter), Threads has quickly found its footing globally, including in Nepal, especially among those craving a less chaotic and more conversation-focused environment than some of the more established microblogging platforms.

• Why it's Popular: Its seamless integration with Instagram makes it easy for existing users to jump on board. For Nepali youth, it offers a space for sharing quick thoughts, engaging in real-time discussions, and following creators and public figures in a text-dominant format. It often feels less cluttered and more focused on current events and genuine conversation.
• Key Features: Short-form text posts, photo/video sharing, direct replies, easy cross-posting from Instagram, and a rapidly evolving feature set.
• How to Use Safely & Creatively: Use it for quick updates, engaging in discussions on topics you care about, and connecting with a more professional or thought-oriented audience. Be concise and consider your words before posting.

3. BeReal: The Authenticity Movement

Tired of the perfectly curated, often unrealistic, posts dominating Instagram and TikTok? BeReal offers a refreshing antidote. This app prompts users once a day, at a random time, to capture a photo using both their front and back cameras simultaneously, sharing an unedited glimpse of their current moment.

• Why it's Popular: Its emphasis on authenticity resonates strongly with youth who are increasingly wary of social media's impact on mental health. There are no filters, no retakes allowed (unless you admit it), and no endless scrolling. It's about genuine connection with a close circle of friends.
• Key Features: Daily randomized "Time to BeReal" notification, dual-camera capture, no filters, limited editing, and a focus on intimate sharing with friends.
• How to Use Safely & Creatively: Share genuine moments from your day. It's a great way to stay connected with true friends and see their unfiltered lives. Be mindful of your surroundings when the prompt hits, and avoid sharing anything sensitive that could compromise your privacy.

4. Discord: Beyond Gaming – The Community Hub

While Discord started as a platform for gamers, it has rapidly evolved into a versatile community hub for a vast array of interests. Nepali youth are using Discord servers (private communities) for everything from study groups and fan clubs to coding bootcamps and local hobby groups.

• Why it's Popular: Its strength lies in its ability to facilitate real-time voice, video, and text communication within highly specific, often smaller, communities. It's highly customizable, allowing for organized discussions, file sharing, and even casual voice chats, providing a deeper sense of belonging than broader social platforms.
• Key Features: Voice channels, text channels, direct messaging, screen sharing, customizable roles and permissions within servers.
• How to Use Safely & Creatively: Join servers related to your hobbies or academic interests. Be cautious about sharing personal information in public servers. Use private servers for close friends or study groups to collaborate efficiently.

5. Lemon8: The Aesthetic Lifestyle Curator

From the creators of TikTok, Lemon8 offers a visually driven space that feels like a blend of Instagram and Pinterest, with a strong focus on aesthetics and lifestyle content. It's gaining traction among youth interested in fashion, beauty, wellness, travel, and home decor.

• Why it's Popular: It provides a curated, inspiring feed for discovering new trends, tips, and personal inspiration without the pressure of video creation. Its clean interface and focus on aesthetically pleasing content make it a relaxing alternative for visual content consumption.
• Key Features: Photo-first posts, long-form captions, categorization by interest, discovery algorithms for niche content.
• How to Use Safely & Creatively: Use it to find inspiration for your hobbies, learn new tips, and share your own aesthetic content. As with any visual platform, be mindful of privacy settings for photos that reveal personal locations.

While Facebook and TikTok aren't going anywhere, the evolving social media landscape in 2025 is all about diversity, authenticity, and niche communities. For Nepali youth, exploring apps like Baakhapaa, Threads, BeReal, Discord, and Lemon8 offers exciting new ways to connect, create, and engage beyond the mainstream. Embrace the shift and find the platforms that truly resonate with your digital lifestyle!